Danville Express

Of note

Interning in Washington

Heather Garcia is working as an intern in U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney's office in Washington, D.C., through June 9. Garcia is originally from Columbia, Md., but her family moved to Danville when she was in fifth grade. She graduated in 2004 from San Ramon Valley High and is now a junior at UC Santa Barbara.

Making more than music

Dr. Lawrence Anderson, music director and conductor of the Danville Community Band, will present two deserving students new instruments, of their choice, at the band's spring concert at 2 p.m., Sunday, June 10, at the Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts. This year's recipients are Claire Rogers, 13, of Stone Valley Middle School, who will receive a new alto saxophone, and Alex Heinzen, 12, of Pine Valley Middle School, who will receive a new tenor saxophone.

This is the third year the band has presented free instruments to Tri-Valley students. The student instrument grant program, "Making More than Music," was conceived by band member Carol O'Keefe, and is being generously co-sponsored by Glenn Roberts, president of Best Music Instrument Co. Inc. of Oakland.

The band awards two students each year with an instrument to help encourage young people to get and stay involved in music. Students are selected from nominations by their local school band directors.

"This is our way to say 'thank you' to the community for their loyalty the past six years," Anderson said. "We really appreciate the community support by their donations and the very enthusiastic and ever-growing crowds at our concerts."

The concert June 10 by the 85-member band is "From Russia with Love" and "The British Are Coming," a musical celebration of the two cultures. Guest vocalist is soprano Anna Combs. Russian Cossack Dancers from San Francisco will also perform. Tickets are $10-$14, with part of the cost funding the student instrument program. Call 943-7469.

Danville boy featured on 'Props'

Cartoon Network selected 8-year-old Jack McGill of Danville as one of its 16 nominees to be featured in "Props," a new on-air and online pro-social campaign that profiles real-world kids from across the country who demonstrate an exceptional talent, commitment and accomplishment in a single area of expertise.

Jack caught the attention of Cartoon Network talent scouts by his outstanding prowess in comedy. A five-minute video profile of Jack demonstrating his skills was shown at www.CartoonNetwork.com/promos/props and a 60-second version of the spot appeared intermittently on Cartoon Network. Viewers were invited to vote online for their favorite profile May 7-21. Six winning finalists will be featured in a one-hour prime time special on Cartoon Network, to air in early September.

"Props" is the newest campaign for kids 6-14 presented as part of Cartoon Network's ongoing GET ANIMATED initiative, which encourages kids to get active, get healthy and get involved.

"When I got the call telling me that I had been selected to appear on television, I just couldn't believe it," said Jack. "I'm really flattered to have been chosen alongside these other kids as well. They are all awesome."

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